It wasn't long before Orochimaru left the orphanage, clutching the storage scroll with poorly concealed excitement.
Only after he disappeared did Yakushi Nono finally return, carrying two cups of steaming tea.
She set one before Uchiha Jin and took the seat opposite him with the other.
Jin lifted the cup and took a sip, then sighed lightly.
"Nono, your tea-brewing speed is a little suspicious. It almost looks like I deliberately sent you away."
In truth, there was little between them that required secrecy anymore.
Aken and Keika had followed Nono out of Root. Their loyalty and conviction had already been tested in darker places.
Nono shook her head gently.
"The orphanage doesn't normally drink tea. I had to boil fresh water."
"And… your conversation with Orochimaru lasted less time than I expected."
She had, in fact, delayed on purpose.
From her experience as a former intelligence operative, too many people present during negotiations could create subtle psychological pressure. It made it harder for the other side to open up.
She had intended to return when the conversation was nearing its end.
But once Orochimaru learned what was inside the scroll, he had lost interest in discussion altogether. A few perfunctory words, and he had left.
Jin did not pursue that topic further.
"When I returned to the village today, something felt… off," he said quietly. "Have there been any major developments?"
Nono frowned slightly.
"There have been many matters—but two count as significant."
"First, Danzō has been removed from his position as Konoha elder. Root's activities have been officially restricted."
"On the surface, he's a toothless tiger now."
She paused.
"But only on the surface. He remains active in the shadows. And he still retains the title of Hokage Advisor."
"That title is his shield."
Jin nodded faintly.
Danzō had always yielded before Hiruzen—publicly.
Privately, he continued as he pleased.
Feigning compliance was second nature to him. And Hiruzen, more often than not, chose to look away.
That was precisely why Nono had hesitated earlier. Without Jin's timely appearance, she might truly have agreed to Danzō's demand—for the children's sake.
Of course, she knew something Danzō did not:
The Land of Rain was already under Jin's influence.
Jin absorbed the first piece of news.
"And the second?"
Nono answered, "Konoha has reached a peace agreement with Kumogakure. The troops on the Land of Hot Water front will soon return."
Jin's brows knit together.
"So quickly?"
He had expected lengthy negotiations.
"Kumo was in a hurry," Nono explained. "And it seems the village underestimated their determination to retrieve A and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki."
"The situation became rather ironic. When Konoha tested them with a set of harsh compensation demands… Kumo accepted without hesitation."
"The first offer was already within their acceptable range."
"So both sides agreed to withdraw from the Land of Hot Water. Kumo will pay twenty percent of the resources up front in exchange for A's return, so he can stabilize their leadership. Once the remaining compensation is delivered, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki will be exchanged."
"That explains why Orochimaru is already back," Jin murmured. "He was commanding that front."
He looked up.
"Minato should be returning soon as well?"
"The main force won't arrive immediately," Nono said. "Orochimaru returned ahead of schedule with the wounded."
"As for Minato… likely within days."
"When he returns, there will be a grand ceremony. After that… the matter of the Fourth Hokage will be formally advanced."
She smiled faintly.
"Speaking of which… there's someone here who has been waiting for you. Almost every day."
Jin was about to ask—
But a small figure came running across the field toward them.
"Teacher Jin! It's really you!"
A petite girl in the orphanage's standard hooded cloak rushed forward, her lower face covered by a mask. Her eyes shone with relief and excitement.
"Rin."
Jin understood immediately what Nono had meant.
After Nohara Rin's staged death, he had hidden her here.
An orphanage was the perfect place. Children of uncertain origin came and went. No one would question one more.
Rin had been waiting here—waiting for the day she could return to the light.
"Teacher Jin," she asked softly, hope and anxiety intertwined in her voice, "is there any news about Obito?"
She was, officially, dead.
To ease her mind during this time in hiding, Jin had told her part of the truth.
Obito was alive.
But he had fallen under the gaze of a powerful, dangerous existence.
That being had orchestrated the tragedy on the Mist battlefield—using her to drag Obito into darkness.
Until Jin was certain he could confront that enemy—
Rin needed to remain "dead."
Though Jin had promised that Obito was safe, Rin's heart had never fully settled.
Each time Jin visited, she asked the same question.
This time, Jin smiled.
"There is… good news."
"You may not have to remain in the shadows much longer."
Rin's eyes widened.
She could hardly believe it.
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